Major League Soccer

·17 June 2026

By Jonathan Sigal

Lionel Messi made history yet again on Tuesday evening, outshining the earlier performances of Kylian Mbappé (France) and Erling Haaland (Norway) with a sensational hat trick that redefined FIFA World Cup records.

The Inter Miami CF talisman netted three times in Argentina’s commanding 3-0 triumph over Algeria, equalling Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 World Cup goals and joining Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to score in five different World Cups.

Now competing in his joint-record sixth World Cup, the 2022 champion achieved this milestone exactly two decades after scoring his maiden World Cup goal at Germany 2006, when he was an emerging prodigy at FC Barcelona.

“He reminded us why he is who he is, and Argentina reminded everyone that they are still the defending champions,” said FOX analyst and former Red Bull New York striker Thierry Henry.

“Let’s not forget about them. But Leo is just different.”

Earlier in the day, Mbappé had set the tone by striking twice in France’s 3-1 victory against Senegal at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.

The Real Madrid forward’s brace took his tally to 58 goals for France, surpassing former LAFC striker Olivier Giroud (57) to become his nation’s all-time top scorer.

As a teenager, Mbappé famously powered France to the 2018 World Cup title against Croatia. Les Bleus returned to the 2022 final but fell short against Messi-led Argentina.

Mbappé now spearheads a potent French attack featuring Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.

Following Mbappé’s brilliance, Manchester City star Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut in emphatic fashion, scoring twice in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq at Boston Stadium.

The three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner struck both goals in the first half, boosting his international record to a formidable 57 goals in 51 appearances.

Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Norway boast a strong lineup that includes Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and Atlético Madrid forward Alexander Sørloth.

However, Messi later stole the headlines, driving Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium with a masterclass in finishing.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a long-range strike after a clever assist from his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

He followed it up with goals in the 60th and 76th minutes before being substituted, with La Albiceleste comfortably ahead against their African opponents.

Messi now boasts 16 goals and 8 assists in 27 World Cup appearances, and could guide Argentina to become the first nation to win consecutive World Cups since Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962).

Argentina will conclude their Group J fixtures with two matches in Dallas — against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27. Messi needs just one more goal to surpass Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16.